8 things we learned from the Golden Globes

The Golden Globe Awards is branded by the Hollywood Foreign press as “the biggest party of the year”. Yet, despite being the closest thing the Oscars’ has to a rival, the Globes has always come off as the awards show’s drunker, less important brother. Thankfully, however, a three-course dinner and free-flowing champagne produces a great opportunity for the stars to let their hair down and create some real highlights of their own. So without further ado, here are some things we learned from 2016’s edition of the Globes.

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s (Birdman) film about a frontiersman fighting to return home to his family is a punishing, beautiful tale and it’s clear it will take some stopping. Despite appearing as an outside hope compared to Spotlight, The Revenant’s accomplishment of Best Picture here could give it real momentum during awards season.

Leonardo DiCaprio also won Best Actor and received an incredible standing ovation, suggesting finally that he may not always be a bridesmaid come the Oscars. Indeed, in the past 10 years 90 percent of the winners for Best Actor at the Globes went on to win the Oscar.

Brie Larson’s rise to prominence arguably stems from her emphatic performance in 2013’s Short Term 12, an immensely powerful drama which triggered her ascent to leading lady status. The 26-year-old was a clear favourite, and eventual winner in the Best Actress category for her performance in the innovative Room, in which she plays a mother held captive for 7 years with her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay).

Although some may be tired of the Englishman’s shtick by now, it’s clear that Gervais is well suited to the post. As an introduction the host caustically addressed the assembled stars in the Beverly Hilton ballroom as “disgusting, pill-popping, sexually deviant scum”.

On being a past winner Gervais joked: “I’ve got three. One’s a doorstop. One I use to hit burglars with. And one I keep by the bed ’cause… doesn’t matter why. It’s mine. I won it fair and square. It is just the right shape and size. So, to be clear, that was a joke about me shoving Golden Globes, that I’ve won, up my ass. And they asked me to host four times!” Add to that a verbal volley with Mel Gibson and it was business as usual. They just don’t learn do they?

Sometimes awards season resembles a series of lofty rituals with the same winners produced time and time again. However, The Renevant’s wins in spite of Spotlight’s predicted success, Christian Slater winning for his performance in the tech-drama Mr. Robot and Gael Garcia Bernal’s achievement for Mozart in the Jungle made for one of the most interesting awards ceremonies in years.

Sylvester Stallone beat out Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) and Idris Elba (Beast of No Nation) to win Best Supporting Actor in his comeback performance as Rocky in Creed. Before emotionally thanking his family and friends Stallone said: “I’m going to try not to get emotional… the last time I was here was 1977… and the view is so beautiful now.” He finally thanked his “imaginary friend Rocky Balboa for being the best friend I ever had”.

Lawrence rather creepily suggested that she wanted to be buried next to Joy director David O. Russell after winning the prize for Best Actress in a musical or comedy. However, it’s not without good reason, Lawrence’s success has twice previously come while working with Russell for Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle.

Unsurprisingly, the musical or comedy category has long been entirely unsuitable for the awards show. However, film studio’s attempts to sneak in vaguely amusing or questionably musical films has now become a trademark of the event. This year’s winner, The Martian, tells the tale of a spaceman trapped on mars, asking broad questions around themes of mortality and hope – hardly a barrel of laughs.

Matt Damon also won Best Actor in the same category – thankfully Damon lightened the situation, joking it was in fact a musical, though the makers and stars of Spy and Trainwreck may not have found it too funny.

As well as picking up the award for Best Actor, DiCaprio won the inclusivity award, dedicating it to “all the first nation’s people represented in this film and all the indigenous communities around the world”. However, DiCaprio may have won the night with an animated grimace as Lady Gaga appeared to barge past him. Oscar-worthy stuff indeed.